{"id":371811,"date":"2016-03-31T21:34:32","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:34:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/california-law\/california-marriage-license-requirements.html"},"modified":"2026-03-31T14:28:31","modified_gmt":"2026-03-31T19:28:31","slug":"california-marriage-license-requirements","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/california-law\/california-marriage-license-requirements.html","title":{"rendered":"California Marriage License Requirements"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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California Marriage License Requirements<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Susan Buckner, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Catherine Hodder, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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To get a marriage license in California, two unmarried, consenting adults must apply with the County Clerk. The parties must have valid government photo identification, at least one witness for the marriage ceremony for a public license, and pay a fee.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

All states have their own marriage requirements. California\u2019s are similar to those of other states, with a few minor exceptions. All participants in a marriage ceremony<\/span> in California must have a marriage license<\/span>. California does not recognize common-law marriage, but it does recognize couples who move from states that do.<\/p>\n

The County Clerk<\/span>\u2019s office<\/span> issues marriage licenses<\/span>. Other basic requirements are having an eligible officiant and filing the license with the County <\/span>Recorder<\/span>\u2019s office<\/span> within ten days.<\/p>\n

Outside of some basic requirements<\/a>, any consenting adults may wed in the state of California<\/span>. Couples can begin their marriage license<\/span> application<\/span> online, but must complete the process in person<\/span> at their County Clerk<\/span>\u2019s office<\/span>.<\/p>\n

Basic Marriage License<\/span> Requirements<\/strong><\/h2>\n

To get your marriage license<\/span> in California, you must be:<\/p>\n